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Friday, December 11, 1998
At last, it's NFR money for Norton
Jerry Norton ends a streak of tough luck in Las Vegas by capturing the world bullfighting title in his fourth try.
By Patrick Everson
Review-Journal
Jerry Norton knows what it's like to be at the bottom of the well at the National Finals Rodeo.
But Thursday night, Norton was finally walking on water as the bullfighter from Mitchell, S.D., took second in the final go-round of the Wrangler Bullfights to secure his first world title before 17,531 fans at the Thomas & Mack Center.
In 1991, Norton's first year at the NFR, he failed to cash a check. The same thing happened last year, his third NFR appearance. His highest finish in the world standings was fifth in 1994.
"After 1991, it was so hard," Norton said. "I was down and depressed for a long time."
An attitude change after last year's NFR, though, helped him turn the corner.
"I laughed at the fact that I'm the only guy to come here twice and not win a check," Norton said.
He more than made up for it this week, earning $33,153 in the four-night event -- including $7,651 for an 80-point effort Thursday -- to finish the year at $55,168. Frank Newsom of Granbury, Texas, won Thursday's go-round with 85 points to net $10,201 and finish second in the world at $50,168.
"This is a great moment," Norton said. "It's starting to sink in. The adrenaline is wearing off, the soreness is coming on. But the pain don't matter."
Norton entered the NFR second in the world, trailing Newsom by $600. But Norton took two of the four go-rounds to win.
"I've been fighting bulls better than I ever have," said Norton, who has been a bullfighter for 13 years. "... I knew I had to control myself, control my nerves (at the NFR). Fortunately, I was able to keep myself calm. That's a level of maturity that takes a long time to reach. I think I made it."
And someone who's used to making it -- Dan Mortensen of Manhattan, Mont. -- made it again by clinching his fifth world saddle bronc title, even with three go-rounds left.
Mortensen won Thursday with 83 points aboard Wolf Creek Skoal to earn $13,005 and up his season total to $181,271, including $50,442 at the NFR.
Tom Reeves is his closest pursuer at $101,952, but even if Mortensen doesn't win another dollar, there isn't enough money left to be won to keep him from the title.
"You come to this rodeo, and there's so much pressure that you very rarely see guys make rides as good as they made all year long," Mortensen said. "But I've been in a groove here."
He has won three go-rounds and placed in the money in three others to run away from the saddle bronc field.
Mark Gomes continued to roll in bareback riding, posting a 78 aboard Milemarker for his third go-round win of the week. Gomes earned $13,005 to up his NFR winnings to $51,165 and move into the world lead with $105,092.
"I was excited (earlier this week) when I'd won $30,000, and now I've won $51,000," he said. "If I walk out without another buck, I'll walk out of here smiling."
Tim Segelke clocked 3.4 seconds to win the steer wrestling and $14,936.
In team roping, Bret Boatright and Kory Koontz shared first with Daniel Green and Allen Bach with a time of 4.9. Each roper pocketed $13,064.
Calf roping had a tie for first, as well, with Cody Ohl and Blair Burk clocking 7.4 to earn $13,064 apiece.
For Ohl, it was the fourth time he either won or shared first this week.
The tie trend continued in barrel racing, as Sherri Cervi and Janet Stover posted 13.94-second times to collect $13,064 apiece.
In bull riding, Aaron Semas scored 87 points aboard Septra for a victory worth $13,005.
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World champion Jerry Norton is sent flying, picking up points in Thursday's bullfighting competition.
Photo by Mike Salsbury.
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